Tag Archives: music

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I adore India Arie and her positive, self-loving, soulful music and lyrics. Her songs never fail to lift me up and make me feel as magical and wonderful as a fairy riding a unicorn over a double rainbow 🙂

In the spirit of 30 Days Of Beauty, I would like to share with you one of my favourite songs in the history of the Universe; ‘Video’ (also known as ‘Because I Am A Queen’), by India Arie.

Enjoy the tunes, feel the love and use the lyrics below to sing your heart out!

To watch the music video for this song (which won’t play here), click here.

“Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I’m not the average girl from your video And I ain’t built like a supermodel But I learned to love myself unconditionally Because I am a queen I’m not the average girl from your video My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes No matter what I’m wearing I will always be The india arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me Every freckle on my face is where it’s supposed to be And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me My feet my thighs my lips my eyes I’m loving what I see

I’m not the average girl from your video And I ain’t built like a supermodel But I learned to love myself unconditionally Because I am a queen (yeah) I’m not the average girl from your video (woo) My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa) No matter what I’m wearing I will always be The india arie

Am I less of a lady if I don’t wear pantyhose My mama said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows But I’ve drawn the conclusion It’s all an illusion Confusion’s the name of the game A misconception a vast deception, Something’s got to change Don’t be offended this is all my opinion Ain’t nothing that I’m saying law This is a true confession Of a life-learned lesson I was sent here to share with y’all So get in when you fit in Go on and shine Clear your mind Now’s the time Put your salt on the shelf Go on and love yourself (love yourself) ‘Cause everything’s gonna be alright (love yourself)

I’m not the average girl from your video And I ain’t built like a supermodel But I learned to love myself unconditionally Because I am a queen (yeah) I’m not the average girl from your video (woo) My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa) No matter what I’m wearing I will always be The india arie

Keep your fancy drink and your expensive minks I don’t need that to have a good time Keep your expensive cars And your caviar All’s I need is my guitar Keep your cristal and your pistol I’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal Don’t need your silicone I prefer my own What god gave me is just fine (Oh hah hah hah)

I’m not the average girl from your video And I ain’t built like a supermodel But I learned to love myself unconditionally Because I am a queen (yeah) I’m not the average girl from your video (woo) My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa) No matter what I’m wearing I will always be The india arie”

This song is called ‘Say Hey! (I Love You)’, by Michael Franti and Spearhead, and I just LOVE it!

I listen to it almost every day. When I say listen, I mean I sing along and dance around the apartment like a lunatic, of course. It’s just so irresistibly happy, and full of good vibes that flow through the Universe, all the way into my soul. It is happiness.

I’m so happy right now, just completely over the moon – or should I say, over the supermoon! Maybe it’s the energies brought about by that beautiful full moon, or maybe it’s just me, but I feel AWESOME.

My view of the Supermoon, so beautiful!

I am exploding with gratitude. So grateful for that one moment almost six months ago, in which I chose happiness over everything else. Grateful for everything I have created for myself since then, and for everything the Universe has brought me as a reward for that one decision to be happy.

I am a hurricane of love.

And I want to express that love more freely, so I am going to make an effort to express myself creatively even more-so than I do now.

I want to paint more, create more, write more, live more, laugh more and love more.

I want to paint portraits, I want to start an art journal, I want to write a book about my year in China, I want to build meaningful relationships with people all over the world, I want to meditate more, I want to start doing yoga, I want to empower, inspire and make hearts smile, I want to do whatever you need me to do to help you see how freakin’ AWESOME you are.

I don’t want to sell out, conform to only writing top ten list or how-to posts, give in to anxiety, or pretend like I’m some sort of self-development guru that has it all together and promises you true happiness all at the discounted price of $99.99 – because I’m not a guru, I don’t have it all together, and I can’t promise you happiness – your happiness is up to you.

What I can do is be here, now, to go on this journey with you. I can give you my perspective, share my thoughts, creations and inspirations with you, talk with you, laugh with you, cry with you. I can create things for you, as resources to help you focus on the positive, reminders of your AWESOMENESS, and make pretty things to hang on your walls. I can see your beauty, and help you to see it, too.

But at the end of the day, it’s up to you. And that’s okay, you can handle that. You are powerful… so much more than you realise.

I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even want or need all the answers. And that’s okay, too. I’m just doing the best that I can, moment to moment. Sometimes I freak out a little, and I doubt myself a lot. Sometimes I wonder if I have what it takes to achieve my dreams.

I am letting go of my perfectionism when it comes to art, too. I will love what I create, even if it’s messy. I am moving forward with my creations, with my ebooks, ekits and hell, maybe even some ecourses. Because what I have to offer is worthy, valuable and amazing.

A messy painting I did yesterday

I love how this post was originally just meant to be a shout out of pure love, and it morphed into another soul-searching session.

How imperfect of me 😉

Well, thank you so much for ‘listening’ to my rants. I’m always here to listen to you, too. Whenever, wherever.

I’m going to spend the rest of the day walking in the park – the snow is almost completely melted and the weather today is beautiful enough for me to not have to wear my huge puffy George Costanza jacket, yay! Then I’ll be drinking wine and eating mooncakes with my soulmate.

If you are unsure of just how amazingly popular Lady Gaga is, well, maybe this will give you an idea; she’s huge in China.

Her music is played everywhere, once I saw a wedding dress shop open it’s doors one morning for all of the staff to go outside and do a choreographed dance to one of her songs. And now, there’s a new popular saying amongst the children, teenagers, and even some English-speaking adults: instead of ‘Oh my God!’, they say ‘Oh My Lady Gaga!’

And this is all just in China! I can’t imagine how freaking huge she must be back home, but her constant appearance in the trending topics on Twitter give me some idea of her goddess like fame.

Although I don’t know all of her songs, I think she’s pretty damn cool, especially after hearing her new song, ‘Born This Way.’

I love anyone that moves us forward, encourages us to be more accepting of ourselves and others, and isn’t afraid to say that love is love, no matter what.

Here is a video of Lady Gaga performing ‘Born This Way’ for the first time at the recent Grammy Awards, the lyrics are just below, feel free to sing along! 😀

“It doesn’t matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M Just put your paws up ’cause you were Born This Way, Baby

VERSE: MY MAMA TOLD ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG WE ARE ALL BORN SUPERSTARS

SHE ROLLED MY HAIR AND PUT MY LIPSTICK ON IN THE GLASS OF HER BOUDOIR

“THERE’S NOTHIN WRONG WITH LOVIN WHO YOU ARE” SHE SAID, “‘CAUSE HE MADE YOU PERFECT, BABE”

“SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP GIRL AND YOU’LL GO FAR, LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY”

CHORUS: I’M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY ‘CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON’T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU’RE SET I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY

POST-CHORUS: OOO THERE AIN’T NO OTHER WAY BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY OOO THERE AIN’T NO OTHER WAY BABY I WAS BORN- I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON’T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN DON’T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN DON’T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN DON’T BE!

A DIFFERENT LOVER IS NOT A SIN BELIEVE CAPITAL H-I-M (HEY HEY HEY) I LOVE MY LIFE I LOVE THIS RECORD AND MI AMORE VOLE FE YAH (LOVE NEEDS FAITH)

REPEAT CHORUS + POST-CHORUS

BRIDGE:

DON’T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN WHETHER YOU’RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN YOU’RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT YOU’RE LEBANESE, YOU’RE ORIENT WHETHER LIFE’S DISABILITIES LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY ‘CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY

NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI, LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE

REPEAT CHORUS

OUTRO/REFRAIN:

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY! I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY! I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY! I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY! I’M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!”

Does anyone else feel like they were born AWESOME after listening to that? 😀

To continue with the theme from my last post, which was everything you need is within, I want to share this song with you. It’s called ‘Strength, Courage & Wisdom’, by the beautiful India Arie.

When I first heard this song, I remember really listening to the lyrics & feeling so deeply connected to it, as though it was written specifically for me. A new layer of awareness of myself emerged, & now I always listen to this song whenever I’m feeling insecure or doubtful.

The lyrics always remind me that I already possess all the qualities that I need in order to overcome challenges & live the life I’ve always dreamed of.

Lyrics:

“Strength, Courage & Wisdom”

“Inside my head there lives a dream that I want to see in the sun Behind my eyes there lives a me that I’ve been hiding for much too long ‘Cause I’ve been, too afraid to let it show ‘Cause I’m scared of the judgment that may follow Always putting off my living for tomorrow It’s time to step out on faith, I’ve gotta show my face It’s been elusive for so long, but freedom is mine today I’ve gotta step out on faith, It’s time to show my face Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

[Chorus:] Strength, courage, and wisdom And it’s been inside of me all along, Strength, courage, and wisdom Inside of me

Behind my pride there lives a me, that knows humility Inside my voice there is a soul, and in my soul there is a voice But I’ve been, too afraid to make a choice ‘Cause I’m scared of the things that I might be missing Running too fast to stop and listen

It’s time to step out on faith, I’ve gotta show my face It’s been elusive for so long but freedom is mine today I’ve gotta step out on faith it’s time to show my face Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

[Chorus]

[Bridge:] I close my eyes and I think of all the things that I want to see ‘Cause I know, now that I’ve opened up my heart I know that Anything I want can be, so let it be, so let it be:.

What ever you’re doing right now, whether you are drinking your morning cup of coffee, stressing over your daily to-do-list, or sitting on the couch in your pajamas (10 points to anyone who is doing all three!), ask yourself this:

Now do what ever you need to do to relax. Sit back in your chair for a second & just… sit. When was the last time you just sat? Not watching TV, not typing or Googling or stalking people on Facebook, just sitting with your head back & your arms relaxed by your side?

If you’re like me, you probably never do that. So stop whatever you’re doing & just sit, be still. Do it now. I’ll join you 🙂

…………………….

…………………….

……………………

Welcome back!

Now, take a moment to breathe. Right now.

Not a little, half-arsed breath. Put some effort into it. Stop whatever else you are doing – forget about the to-do-list for just a second – & slowly, take in a big, deep breath.

Breathe in.

Hold it.

And let it go. Slowly.

Do it again.

One last time. Breathe in. And out.

Feeling your awesomeness, yet?

If not, try it again. Really pay attention to your breath. Focusing on your breathing is a quick & easy way to bring yourself into the present moment, the only moment that matters – because all we really have is right now.

I lost touch of that today, & when I lose touch, I forget my own awesomeness. I was pushing myself too hard, stressing out & trying to accomplish a thousand & one things all at the same time. As always, that lead to me feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, & extremely tense.

Luckily, I know myself pretty well, especially lately, so once I become aware that I’m not feeling as awesome as I’d like to, I immediately begin the process of re-awesomofying myself.

My Four Steps To Re-Awesomofication:

1. Breathe.

The deep breathing & centering exercise that I just described is usually my first step. Breathe in…. Aaand out 🙂

2. Dance.

Put on your favourite playlist of songs. Songs that are positive, upbeat & just so fantastic that your awesome levels have no choice but to rise. It’s just like the slime from Ghostbusters 2 that (spoiler alert!) dances & comes alive to the music – only without that creepy Viggo guy from the painting (Random Fact: My number 1 fear? Viggo. *shudder*).

3. Vent.

Talk it out. Hearing yourself talk about the things that you’re freaking out about internally will always make you realise that you are okay, that it’s not as bad as you thought it was, & that you can totally handle it.

Most of the time I talk to Mike or my Mum or Dad, but if there’s no-one to talk to I’ll write about what’s worrying me, which is just as good.

4. Laugh.

Lastly, invest some time in something that will make you laugh. It can be a TV show or a classic funny movie, otherwise there’s always Youtube, or talk to people who always make you laugh – for me it’s Mike or my brother 🙂

By the end of all this, your awesomeness will be back to a healthy level & you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way!

But, of course, I do have a back-up plan for those rare occassions when all this doesn’t get me the results I want; sleep. If these 4 steps to re-awesofication don’t lead me back to my usual awesome self, then chances are I’m just exhausted & need to get some rest!

What do you do to re-awesomofy yourself & your life?

Do you have any kickass steps that need to be added to this list? I’d love to hear them! 🙂

December 28 – Achieve What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today. (Author: Tara Mohr)

Today, when I looked at all my goals, hopes & dreams for the next year, I noticed a pattern begin to form. They all involve personal growth, inspiring others, & experiencing all that life & the world has to offer.

As I connected them even further, I realized that my most desired goal for 2011 is to end it with even more love, happiness, health, & purpose than I am ending 2010 with.

If, a year from now, I can look back on 2011 feeling like the best version of myself I have ever been & knowing that I gave it 100%, I will be satisfied & proud.

I’ve decided to go with the ‘10 thoughts’ option in order to experience those feelings of confidence, accomplishment, joy, love, purpose, satisfaction & pride today, because what you think about, you bring about.

(While these aren’t really ‘new’ thoughts, they are definitely ones I could think more often!)

1. Take action.

“When you don’t know what to do, do the thing in front of you.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot. Another good quote for this thought is: “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” ~ Will Rogers

2. Yes, I can.

“My motto is; If a person can do it, I can do it.” ~ Geena Davis

3. Live with purpose.

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

~ George Bernard Shaw

4. Anything is possible.

“Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

~ Napoleon Hill

5. Stay focused.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” ~ Henry Ford

6. Dream big.

“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” ~ Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) in ‘Back to the Future’.

Another good quote for this thought is: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” ~ Les Brown

7. Be wild.

“Why sit in the bleachers, timid & afraid? When you could be the whole parade!” ~ Hairspray – Big, Blonde, & Beautiful

8. Think, do, be, positive.

“I crossed the street to walk in the sunshine.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert in ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’

“If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.” ~ Joseph Campbell

December 29 – Defining Moment Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

The defining moment for me this year would have to be the moment we decided to move to China.

As I described in my Tiny Buddha guest post, there have been so many ups & downs & lessons learned through a whole series of events that all lead back to that one decisive moment.

I am so grateful for that moment & everything I have experienced since, & I am 100% certain that I would not be who I am today without it.

December 30 – Gift Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)

The two most memorable gifts I have received this year, aren’t special to me because of their monetary value, one of them didn’t even cost a thing. These gifts are special to me because of their meaning, & what they symbolize in my life.

The first, I received back in April; an engagement ring from my soulmate. And while I do think it’s totally romantic & awesome that it boasts diamonds, my birth stone, & was designed by Mike especially for me, I get the most joy out of what it symbolizes.

It’s not just a ring, it’s a symbol of Mike’s love for me, & his commitment & desire to spend the rest of his life with me. It represents our friendship, our love, our past & our wonderful future together.

The second gift I received only last week; a link to a YouTube video from my brother.

It may not seem like much, but it is one of the sweetest, most meaningful & comforting gifts I have ever received.

The video is of British comedian Tim Minchin, singing a song he wrote about Christmas called ‘White Wine in the Sun.’

For most of it, I just thought it was really cool that this guy had summed up all my feelings about Christmas in a song, from consumerism to family.

In fact, the chorus could be about my family at Christmas:

“I’ll be seeing my dad

My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum

They’ll be drinking white wine in the sun

I’ll be seeing my dad

My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum

They’ll be drinking white wine in the sun”

Towards the end of the song, he sings to his daughter:

“And if, my baby girl

When you’re twenty-one or thirty-one

And Christmas comes around

And you find yourself nine thousand miles from home

You’ll know what ever comes

Your brother and sisters and me and your Mum

Will be waiting for you in the sun

Whenever you come

Your brothers and sisters, your aunts and your uncles

Your grandparents, cousins and me and your mum

We’ll be waiting for you in the sun

Drinking white wine in the sun

Darling, when Christmas comes

We’ll be waiting for you in the sun

Drinking white wine in the sun

Waiting for you in the sun

Waiting for you…

Waiting…”

This is when I started to cry like a baby.

This is when I realized that my brother wasn’t just sending me a video about Christmas, he was sending me a message. He was letting me know that he misses me.

He was letting me know that, even though I’m ‘nine thousand miles from home’, my family – Mum, Dad, him, my other brother & sister, my aunts, uncles, cousins & my Nana, were spending their Australian Christmas in the sun, & missing me, thinking of me, & waiting for me.

It makes me tear up even writing about it. But I love it so much, & it means more to me than almost any other gift I’ve ever received. I’ll never forget it.

I’ve been thinking lately about what makes a day a ‘good day’ for me. One thing that always makes my day brighter & gives me positive vibes is listening to my favourite music.

There isn’t really a particular style of music that I like, what gets my attention first is always the lyrics. I love any song that makes me think, that tells a story, teaches me something, or makes me feel good about myself. I see song lyrics as affirmations, words that you often repeat to yourself, they become a part of your subconscious & eventually affect how you see the world. So, songs with positive, empowering lyrics, especially when written &/or sung by a woman, are particularly powerful for me.

‘Firework’ by Katy Perry is an extremely positive & empowering song. The song always gives me goosebumps, & the video brings tears to my eyes. Whether you like this type of music or not, everyone can benefit from listening to the lyrics.

C’mon, sing along! I promise I won’t judge 🙂

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bagDrifting throught the windWanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thinLike a house of cardsOne blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deepSix feet under screamBut no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that tehre’s still a chance for youCause there’s a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the lightAnd let it shineJust own the nightLike the Fourth of July

Cause baby you’re a fireworkCome on show ’em what your worthMake ’em go “Oh, oh, oh!”As you shoot across the sky-y-y